Kenny #4
The second-floor landing. Octagon Bedroom door left, Round Bedroom right. A while back I removed the latter door frame and reinstalled it level. Then Dr. Doug added wood to the door top so it was no longer cut at an angle (as seen here).
And now…ta-da!…the door has been refinished by Kenny! The framed wallpaper is what was in the stairhall in 1894 (but with a silver background). Look how good it looks with the newly lighter trim. With the for now done, I am very excited to announce that all the trim in the Round Bedroom has been refinished. Kenny did about half, and the mantel. He will return soon to start on the Octagon Suite!
#4 was reattached after the refinishing as it is part the house history (all the rooms in the house are numbered, a vestige of its motel era). Note, too, the many little holes caused, presumably, from countless notes being tacked to the door. This history I plan to erase. The ‘oak’ is a faux bois finish (painted wood), and this is common throughout the house. The finish has been long obscured by dark brown shellac. This though is how it would have looked in 1894…
…as confirmed.
Recently, my artist friend Suzi came by the Cross House and I showed her the many areas of faux bois needing repair, and explained about my total inability at finding anybody to do the repairs needed.
“Oh! I can help with that! I’d love to! It’s not hard!”
I looked at her with amazement. And intense love.
“Suzi! You’re my newest favorite person on the planet!”
She beamed.
I beamed.
Stay tuned…
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I’m so glad you found someone to do that work.
The door looks great!
The door looks good! And it will look even better after Suzi does her magic on it. The Cross House is blessed by the Friends of Ross (TM).
Do you know why they would have done this vs using quality wood like the other sections you mention? I can’t imagine it being cheaper to hire an artist to do this vs. good grain heavy wood? It looks great!
Wow- so much happening in Kansas! So Wonderful! 🙂
Many, many posts back you had a link to a vintage wallpaper site and I went there and ordered a piece of wallpaper circa my house. I don’t like the frame I bought but will still mat and frame it until I can find one I like better. It is gorgeous. All of the colors go in my bedroom and I love having a piece of wallpaper that could have been in my house. The only room that was wallpapered to my knowledge was what i call the library and what the original owner used as his office, although it has a closet so technically it is a bedroom. It opens off the living room so not very practical for an office. During the 1949 remodel mahogany wainscotting and trim was added as well as a faux wood finish on the doors. AND…..it was wallpapered. With the most hideous wallpaper. A dull, boring beige-y toile of Colonial people, tricorn topped men on horses with their hunting dogs and I don’t remember what else. And pretty cheap paper compared to the vintage stuff I bought. And not hand painted in any way. It’s gone but I did put up new wallpaper in that room as a tribute to the original. Also to save having to refinish the walls suitable for paint.
I saved none of the old stuff as I just couldn’t live with that ugliness as it looked filthy just because of the colors. I am much happier having a sunny yellow swatch of vintage paper with birds and pagodas.
Dr Doug certainly did miracles with that door.
I hope you are feeding Kenny (and Jet) very well in appreciation of all of their wonderful work. Stripping paint and varnish is not my favorite thing. Not even close. The results are amazing, though.
That door looks FABULOUS!!
Kenny is a God send!
And so is SUZI!!
So good to see the old girl again. I missed her.
No more gaps on the doors thanks to Dr. Doug and Ross? Wow! Refinished by Kenny? Wow! To be faux bois by Suzi? Wow! The universe is good.
Kenny, you are awesome.
I can attest to that, June!
The door looks great! Good job, Kenny! (Ross, I wish you would reconsider the numbers though. They may be part of the history, but they aren’t exactly pretty.) I’m glad you found Suzi! I can’t wait to see her work!
You should watch “The Second Empire Strikes Back” on Youtube. He explains the easiest way to remove shellac. b nd it doesn’t cost much.